Improving tuberculosis diagnosis in South Africa's private sector: The results of a pilot public-private mix intervention in eThekwini health district.

ABSTRACT: While tuberculosis (TB) is primarily addressed in South Africa's public sector, people with TB also present to private sector General Practitioners (GPs), where TB may be missed or treatment delayed. We introduced a pilot project in a high-TB burden health district to connect private GPs to free public sector TB testing. We aimed to gauge GPs' willingness to participate and describe TB patterns in the private sector. GPs practicing in metropolitan eThekwini from May 2021-March 2022 were invited to participate. Recruited GPs were provided sputum specimen jars, specimen transportation, and access to free TB testing through the National Health Laboratory Service for clients with TB-like symptoms. A customised electronic form on an established medical referral application (Vula) was developed

SUBMITTER: Boffa J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11981140 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature